(Yicai Global) Jan. 5 -- Construction work began yesterday on the CNY5.8 billion (USD898 million) Shanghai International New Cultural and Creative E-sports Center.

As the biggest investment in a single e-sports-themed project in the world, the new center is intended to help the Chinese coastal city become the planet’s e-sports capital, The Paper reported.

Located in the city’s Minhang district, it will have a total construction area of more than 500,000 square meters, which will enable the hub to accommodate hundreds of e-sports-related companies. It is expected to attract nearly 10,000 e-sports professionals.

Edward Gaming’sparent company SuperGen is the project’s investor and developer.

The center will have a world-class professional e-sports venue for 6,000 people, as well as star-rated hotels, museums, performance centers, retail and sports culture bases, including a diving venue, wind tunnels and a dance hall.

It will be able to receive up to 10,000 guests a day when open in 2024. Construction is scheduled to complete in 2023.

Editor: Peter Thomas